By Fahad Dankabo

A pragmatic reality of politics is that it is always local; the grassroots are just as vital as the peak of the political pyramid. The more followers a politician commands at the grassroots level, the stronger their political currency and the more bargaining power they possess among their peers. It is at this level that a politician’s true motives are revealed, especially as public political awareness grows. However, we must distinguish between the act of politicking and the act of governance.

The relationship between politics and governance is an inseparable marriage. To achieve effective governance, we must have politicians with good intentions and the necessary ability to manage the affairs of the polis (city). Leaders committed to good governance have a responsibility to guide the grassroots, ensuring that local leaders also operate with genuine purpose. When this foundation is laid, party leaders and government officials, regardless of their position, will be driven by the common good and the political will to serve the fatherland and its people.

Regarding politicians with good intentions, I am reminded of an experience involving H.E. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Following an APC post-primary election event I held in Kabo LG to thank supporters, an invited guest acted derogatorily, attacking His Excellency’s person, Senator RMK. In response, I visited him to exonerate our movement and offer an apology. After sharing photos of this visit on social media, a prominent Kano politician (not from Kabo) questioned why I, an APC member, would visit Kwankwaso while he was a candidate for another party. I explained that I went there with good intentions and for the right reason: I wanted to de-escalate grassroots tensions between our supporters and the Kwankwasiyya movement. To my surprise, this veteran politician told me, “There is no good intention in politics.” Those words still echo as a shocking reminder of political irresponsibility and disillusionment.

We must accept that we cannot fix governance without first fixing politics. If we desire good governance, we must cultivate “good politics” led by individuals with sincere motives.

For the average voter, the goal must be to become as influential as the politicians themselves. When voters exercise collective influence at the grassroots, politicians are left with no choice but to act as responsible citizen-leaders. They will be forced to guide the political process toward fixing the system so that governance can finally improve.

I call on those who trust me to lead them, and I call on all politicians, young and old, subordinates and superiors, to embrace the responsibility of treating politics as a service to the Nigerian State and its people.

While we learn from the best in the game, we must act locally as learned. We must ensure politics is conducted for the right reasons before we can demand better governance. 2027 presents another opportunity to return to the grassroots, fix our politics, and utilise our PVCs by voting consciously for those capable of delivering true and effective governance.

God bless Kabo Local Government, Kano State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Fahad Dankabo

APC Member; Former House of Representatives Candidate, Gwarzo/Kabo Federal Constituency, Kano State.

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